BRAITHWAITE'S RETROSPECT OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE AND SURGERY: part 48, January, 1864. New York, published by W. A. Townsend.

We have always anticipated with pleasure the time when the Retrospect should make its semi-annual appearance, and as we turn over its pages to see what has been going on in medicine, apart from Therapeutics and Materia Medica, it occurs to us that probably most of the homoeopathic physicians desire to keep themselves versed in the progress of the art and, as well as ourselves, refer to Braithwaite. To these our extracts are second-handed.

In the department of Practical Medicine, wherein is given the treatment of diseases, we are seldom disappointed, for we never expect to find any thing of any practical importance to us as Homoeopathists. The history and descriptions of disease may occasionally contain something new, but the, application of remedies is about the same as in the time of the earliest writers In the department of Surgery we do not find much that is new. A case of excision of the knee-joint for some “incurable disease,” the effects of a long walk eighteen months before, is given; the patient regaining the use of his leg. The success of Homoeopathy in this disease is historical. Resection of the knee-joint is objected to; for notwithstanding it removes the local disease and (perhaps) brings about an anchylosis of tibia and femur, the general success has not been good. A case of naevus on the nose is reported, where an attempt to inject the perchloride of iron was followed by instant death. As a sure cure for onanism it is recommended to blister the penis till it is too sore to touch; cases are given in illustration of this mild treatment. We do not observe anything new in the treatment of skin diseases. In the treatment of carbuncle the time honored crucial incision is laid aside for awhile to give the caustic plan another chance to display wonders, it being discovered that the mortality in the former method was more than fifty percent. As a dressing to sores, fine clay is recommended particularly where cold applications are required, the clay, wrapped in linen, being used instead of wet rags. As a means of preventing pitting after small pox, puncturing the vesicles with needles dipped in a solution of nitrate of silver is considered as far preferable to the various plasters, solutions, etc., etc., that have been used. Some experiments with Calabar bean in causing contraction of the pupil are given; several articles are published on the subject. It is called also the Ordeal Bean. Most of the experiments were made by topical application of a solution of the bean.

Under midwifery is reported an interesting case of a ruptured vagina during labor, the child passing into the abdomen; after an unsuccessful attempt with forceps delivery was finally accomplished, after three and a half hours, by turning; the child was dead, the mother recovered. In a late number of El Criterio Medico, there was an article, translated from a foreign journal, on the laws governing the sex. We find the same views here in an article on impregnation from which we quote: “It is a well known fact that queen bees lay female eggs first and male eggs afterwards. Also, that if her conception be protracted beyond a lunar month from her birth, she will produce males only. In the human female, conception in the first half of the time between menstrual periods produces female offspring, and male in the latter. Numerous instances of females being 'out' in reckoning the time of their parturition gave rise in my mind to a suspicion of the existence of some 'law' as a cause; and from the frequency of a male child coming, I usually concluded and predicted that a late case was due to an 'idle boy,' and rarely failed in being right. The law above stated explains those irregularities; and its existence has been confirmed by a friend on whose testimony, as to its being a fact, implicit reliance may be placed. That law of generation applies also to animals, and probably to all animated beings.”

Cases are reported of inducing premature labor with caoutchouc bags, ergot and nitrate of silver, in the latter case lunar caustic being used. In regard to the use of chloroform, one writer says “when inhaled during labor, very frequently predisposes to hemorrhage, puerperal inflammation, chest affections and to other diseases detrimental to health and life, which it aggravates if given during their presence. It also lays the foundation of diseases to arise at a more distant period.”

An interesting case of co-existing intra and extra-uterine pregnancy is reported as terminating favorably. Another case is reported of a presentation of right arm and shoulder terminating by spontaneous evolution. Considerable has been written on the treatment of female diseases; among other suggestions the use of medicated pessaries is spoken of; the butter of cocoa being used as the vehicle and mechanical appliance.

In the miscellaneous subjects is reported a successful attempt to restore a putrefied body to its natural appearance in order to identify it. This was done by placing it in a bath of solution of chloride of sodium, to which was added hydrochloric acid and a stream of chlorine gas directed on his face for some time.

In a previous number of the Retrospect the deleterious use of red vulcanite by dentists was spoken of, the subject is again referred to in the present number. A general index to parts 45, 46, 47 and 48 is published at the end of the number.

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HOMOEOPATHIC LITERATURE. — Among the books, pamphlets and periodicals received the past month are:

The Monthly Homoeopathic Review, London, for November, 1863, contains, an editorial on the medical session 1863-4; treatment of the toothache, by Dr. Massy; continuation of Dr. Cobb's article on sleeping and dreaming; Mr. Wilson's criticisms, etc.; Northern Homoeopathic Medical Association; the question on doses, etc., by Dr. Bayes; miscellanies, dispensary reports, etc. The December number contains, a criticism of an article in the “Medical Times;” climates for invalids, by Dr, Massy; continuation of Dr. Bayes article on a question of doses; the criticism of Drs. Bayes and and Wilson, by Dr. Hewitt; real and nominal attenuations, by Dr. Powell; concussion of the brain, by Dr. Hastings; Mr. Wilson's criticisms, by Dr. Dudgeon; cases, dispensary and hospital reports, miscellanies, etc. The January number contains, an editorial to the readers of the journal; an article by Dr. Pope, on who are Homoeopathists; an account of a man who found a bottle labelled Merc. sol. 6 and what he learned from it; the treatment of acute inflammatory disease, by Dr. Anderson; the question of doses by Dr. Bayes; Apis in scarlatina, by Dr. Nankivell; reply to Dr. Hewitt by Dr. Bayes; want of uniformity in homoeopathic attenuation, by Mr. Carryer; inhalation of Glonoine, by Mr. Merrick; can inert matter act on the living organism, by Dr. Eadon; scabies; reports of societies, book reviews, miscellanies, etc. The February number contains a criticism on an article in Braithwaite's Retrospect; a continuation of Dr. Anderson's article on acute inflammatory diseases; a continuation of Dr. Bayes' question of doses; Dr. Dudgeon's criticisms of Mr. Wilson; miscellaneous articles, dispensary reports, etc.

The Homoeopathic Observer, Manchester, Eng., for November. 1863, contains, an editorial on homoeopathic medical literature, considering the want of a revised Materia Medica and a manual of homoeopathic practice; a case of poisoning by phosphor. paste; a case of partial paralysis cured with Calc. and Nux; miscellanies and medical intelligence. The number for December contains, the controversy between Drs. Newman and Mac Limont. Some years since, Dr. Newman was discharged from some charitable institution on account of his practising Homoeopathy, he removed to Bath and established a homoeopathic hospital; in this he is likely to be supplanted by a Dr. Mac Limont, hence the controversy is going on. Cases of cerebral disease, salivary fistula, and poisoning by Phosphorus, with miscellanies fill up the number. The number for January contains, an editorial on medical persecutions; book reviews; miscellanies and medical intelligence.

Notes of a New Truth, December, 1863. The editor of the Notes endeavors to keep his lay readers informed of what is going on in the homoeopathic school, the discussion in regard to the translation of Hahnemann's Materia Medica is noticed, with a continuation of the Bath hospital affairs and reports of cures, etc. The January number begins the ninth volume, it contains addresses to the members of the English homoeopathic association, under whose auspices the periodical is published, and to the readers of the Notes; persecution by the College of Physicians of one of their own body in 1698 for prescribing Cantharides; protection against the spread of scarlatina; action of globules on persons in health; death from vaccination; progress of Homoeopathy; cases; medical intelligence, etc. The February number contains, an account of Homoeopathy in unprofessional hands in India; on the torture of animals; miscellaneous articles for the lay reader.

In the British Journal of Homoeopathy, for January, 1864, we have a report of three cases of ophthalmia presented to the British Homoeopathic Society, by Dr. Joseph Kidd, Merc. corr. alone and in alternation with Bell. in a low potency were used; a case of paratyphlitis cured with Bell., by Dr. Trinks, is translated from the “Neue Zeitschrift;” Dr. Casanova reports a case of chronic relapsing ophthalmia, successfully treated with Tart. emet. externally; Dr. Langhemz continues his critical examinations of the Materia Medica Pura by giving the Opium symptoms; Dr. Stokes contributes another chapter from Dr Coe's work on concentrated organic remedies; Dr. Nankivell continues his article on the pathogenesy of Aconite; Newman and Maclimont give publicity to their personal difficulties; Dr. Hitchman publishes an article on infantile convulsions; book reviews and extracts from medical journals follow; among the latter are some experiments with the Ordeal bean, Mercury in syphilis, toxical effects of Sulphuret of carbon, and Ash leaves in rheumatism and gout. Dr. Aegidi's case of diabetes (published in our February number) is translated from the “Allg. Hom. Zeitung” miscellaneous articles fill up the number.

The North American Journal, for February, 1864, opens with Dr. Gray's address on Homoeopathy in New York; a continuation of the article of Drs. Madden and Hughes on the action of Digitalis, from the British Journal of Homoeopathy, with an abstract of-the views of Dr. Jones follows; Dr. Pearson publishes an article on variola, which he considers distinct from varioloid, that the latter is only seen after vaccination which he says is unnecessary, kine pox or vaccine virus is a modified form of variola; he considers Apis almost a specific. Dr. Temple's address before the Western Homoeopathic Institute, on the unity of Homoeopathy follows. Dr. Hale publishes an article on the thyroid gland. An article on surgery, by Dr. James; one on pseudo membranes, by Dr. Ludlam; another on hare-lip, by Dr. Helmuth; clinical cases, by Dr. Potter; use of Canth in vesicular facial erysipelas, by Dr. Lougeay; Aesculus hippocastanum in hemorrhoids, by Dr. Cuthbert; Homoeopathy in the army, by Dr. Franklin, come next in order; then follow general record of medical science, bibliographical notices, miscellaneous items. In the department of Materia Medica, Dr. Douglass publishes the pathogenetic characteristics of Selen, Sepia, Silicea, Spigelia, Spongia, Squilla, Stannum and Staphysagria. The first sixteen pages of Dr. Franklin's work on diseases of the heart, are published as an appendix.

The Homoeopathic Observer comes to us from Detroit, Michigan, an octavo of sixteen pages. Dr. Lodge, editor and proprietor, proposes to publish it monthly at one dollar per annum. The two numbers that have been published. January and February, contain a salutatory, proceedings of societies, college notices, clinical cases, short original articles, extracts from other journals, etc. In an article on New Provings, a Professor, speaking of our indigenous remedies, pays a tribute to the eclectic school, “under the leadership of the really gifted Morrow, aided by Jones, Sherwood, King and Cleveland, who have done good service in introducing native remedies into practice.” He continues, “we have now excellent provings of Apocynum, Cimicifuga, Iris and Phytolacca, Podophyllum, Sanguinaria and some others. We have also suggestive fragmentary provings of Asclepias tuberosa and syriaca, Baptisia tinct., Erigeron, Caulophyllum, Nuphar advena, Hydrastis and many others.” We are glad to learn “some of our school who are not content to be drones in the profession, are laboring to perfect these provings.” He continues, “I am sorry to add here that some under the lead of Hering, who believe that all the good in Homoeopathy will die with them, are inclined to discourage the new provings, and ridicule the use of new remedies in disease. They have fallen into a spiritless routine of practice, and are content to continue the exclusive use of the old polychrests and anti-psorics, and would rather let their dropsical patients die under the use of Helleborus, Arsenicum, etc., than to resort to such 'new fangled' remedies as Apocynum, Asclepias syr., or Eupatorium per. We cannot imagine any reason for such a bigoted course, unless it is because they had not the honor, of proving the latter remedies, and in the thirtieth potency” Our Professor should keep himself better posted. We would suggest to him a trip to Philadelphia. Dr. Hering would probably extend to him the same privilege he has to us and others, open his iron safe where, secure from fire, he has arranged the manuscript of confirmed provings of more remedies than the Professor has thought to put on his list. Here he would probably find the most extensive provings of Gelsemium sempervirens, and many of the “new fangled” remedies that would aid him in his new Materia Medica.

Medical Investigator is the name of a new monthly periodical which comes to us from Chicago; in form of a quarto of eight pages. The first volume of the present series began in October. It contains lectures delivered before the Hahnemann College at Chicago, clinical cases, original contributions, extracts from medical journals, miscellaneous items and local medical intelligence. It is published by C. S. Halsey.

Bulletin de la Societe Medicate Homoeopathique de France. Vol. IV, No. 6, October, 1863, contains an extract from the proceedings of the society; physiological and therapeutic action of cyanide of mercury, by Dr. Leon Simon, jr.; the importance of making provings of Cyanide of mercury; some notes on the doctrine of chronic diseases; phlegmonous erysipelas of the face and scalp cured by Buffo sahytiensis, translated from El Criterio Medico; miscellanies and correspondence. No. 7, November, contains, practical reflections on typhoid fever and its homoeopathic treatment, translated from the Allg. Hom. Zeitung; practical observations, extracted from the Annal de Med. Hom.; miscellanies, bibliography, etc.

Allgemeine Homoeopathische Zeitung, Vol. 67, No. 18, November 2d, 1863, contains the treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum, by Dr. Freytag; cures with the thirtieth and high potencies, by Dr. Kraizell; a wish, by Dr. Schussler; proceedings of the Central Union of the Hom, Phys. of Germany at Mainz; communications from Drs. Sommer and Perussel, etc. No. 19, November 9th, contains the treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum, by Dr. Freytag, continued; Dr. Boenninghausen's clinical record; cures with the thirtieth and high potencies, by Dr. Kraizell, continued; proceedings of the thirty-third meeting of the Central Union of Homoeopathic Physicians of Germany, with the inaugural address of the President, Dr. Kirsch; extracts from Foreign journals and miscellanies. No. 20, November 16th, contains a contiuation of Dr. Freytag's article; case of diabetes (published in January number of the “American Homoeopathic Review”), by Dr. Aegidi; literary notices and miscellanies. No. 21, November23d, contains an article on Materia Medica, by Dr. Hencke; Dr. Boenninghausen's clinical record; continuation of the proceedings of the Central Union; report of the Polyclinic at Leipsic; extracts from journals; proving of Cyanide of Mercury, by Dr. Leon Simon, jr.; obituary; homoeopathic hospital in Munich.. No. 22, November 30th, contains action of Silicea, by Dr. Goullon; three cases of melaena, by Dr. Minnichreiter; proceedings of the Central Union; the “Paris Lachesis,” by Dr. Hering; news of the day, etc. No. 23, December 7th, contains, an article on the so-called epidemic remedies, by Dr. Bruckner; psora, by Dr. Roth; proceedings of the Central Union; Cyanide of Mercury, by Dr. Simon, jr.; extracts from journals, miscellanies. No. 24, December 14th, contains, action of Silicea, by Dr. Goullon, continued; epidemic remedies, by Dr. Buckner, continued; a cure of typhus, by Dr. L. Stern; discussion on blennorrhoea urethras at the Central Union; news items; obituary. No. 25, December 21st, contains, observations on his case of diabetes, by Dr. Aegidi; a cure of typhus with remarks, by Dr. L. Stern; discussion on the treatment of syphilis at the thirty third meeting of the Central Union; extracts from journals. No. 26, December 28th, contains, material for the Materia Medica (Clematis erecta), by Dr. C. Hencke; cures with the thirtieth and high potencies, by Dr. Kraizell, continued; meeting of the Homoeopathic Physicians of the Rhine and Westphalia at Dortmund, contribution B, comparison of Ignatia and Stramonium, by Dr. H. Gross, contribution D, cures of animals, and high potencies, by Dr. Boenninghausen; extracts from journals. This completes the sixty-seventh volume

Neue Zeitschrift fur Homoeopathishe Klinik, No. 21, November 1st, 1863, has a continuation of Dr. Roth's history of the homoeopathic theory; gangrene following embolic, by Dr. Pemerl; treatment of strabismus; book notices. miscellanies, etc. No. 22, November 15th, contains, catalysis, by Dr. Roth; aphorisms from medical practice, by Dr. Hirsch; continuation of Dr. Pemerl's article; miscellaneous articles. No. 23, December 1st, contains, the old and new receipt, by Dr. Hoppe; continuation of Dr. Roth's article; treatment of strabismus by Dr. Gallavardin; continuation of Dr. Hirsch's article; book notices, correspondence, etc. No. 24, December 15th, contains, conclusions of Drs. Hoppe's and Gallavardin's articles; homoeopathic cures, by Dr. Verwey clinical report, by Dr. Schleicher; continuation of Or. Hirsch's article; miscellanies, medical intelligence of the day, etc. This number completes the eighth volume of the new series, the twelfth of the publication.

El Criterio Medico, Madrid, No. 21, November 10th, 1862, contains continuations of the articles on the human organism and ozone; the law of similars; action of Digitalis on the heart; bibliography and miscellanies. In No. 22. for November 26th, are articles on the dynamic principle the base of Homoeopathy; epidemic cholera morbus; clinic; law of the production of the sexes in animals and plants; items, etc. In No. 23, December 10th, is a conclusion of the article on dynamization; articles on the universality of the law of similars; the treatment of intermittent fever, the inefficiency of sulphate of quinine; notable quotations; clinical reports; electricity considered as the principal cause of the action of mineral waters in the system; orthodox medicine and the medical congress. No. 24, December 25th, contains conclusion of the article on the law of similars; notable quotations; clinical reports; treatment of toothache; characteristic symptoms of Pulsatilla; extracts from Foreign journals, correspondence; miscellanies This number completes the fourth volume of the new series, the fifteenth of the publication.